A qualitative study of a family's experience of pathological gambling

Abstract

The face of gambling in South Africa is rapidly changing and for many adults gambling has become a popular pastime. This is due to the recent revision of the gambling laws within the country. Gambling in moderation poses no threat as a recreational activity, but excessive gambling can become pathological and impact negatively on the personal relationships and other systems in the lives of persons involved in such gambling.

This dissertation reports on a qualitative study of a family's experiences of pathological gambling. The primary objective was to determine the unique experiences of a family that had encountered pathological gambling. The participant family was selected by means of purposive sampling and unstructured interviews were utilised for gathering data. The study illuminated themes, categories and sub-categories in the data obtained from the family members. The main themes identified were the initiation, maintenance, manifestation, as well as the aftermath of pathological gambling. Limitations in the study are identified and recommendations for future research in this area are also offered.